Pacers Fire Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren After Just One Season

After just one controversial season as head coach, Nate Bjorkgren has been fired by the Indiana Pacers.

Bjorkgren was informed today of decision to dismiss him, sources said. He met with management on Tuesday. Pacers are expected to pursue a more experienced, established head coach in this process. Bjorkgren lost locker room and much of organization in his one year as coach. https://t.co/FSwxnl66Ed
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 9, 2021

Word spread around the league during the season that Bjorkgren's tactics had caused him to lose the locker room, and even much of the Pacers' organization.

With a veteran roster that includes star players like Malcom Brodgon, Myles Turner, Caris LaVert and Damontas Sabonis, the Pacers had been primed to be a force in the Eastern Conference, but instead were eliminated in the 'play-in' by the Washington Wizards.

Pacers President Kevin Pritchard refused to commit to Bjorkgren at his season-ending press conference, so this day was inevitable.

Pacers join Celtics, Magic and Blazers as teams with a head coaching opening. When Pacers President Kevin Pritchard didn't commit to Nate Bjorkgren at his season-ending press conference, the writing was on the wall. Terry Stotts is a candidate for the job. https://t.co/QVtEAOi4yI
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 9, 2021